july 23 - 29 | 2014
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Creature comfort www.wangarattachronicle.com.au
circulating in wangaratta, myrtleford, bright, mt beauty, beechworth, yackandandah, rutherglen, chiltern and districts
By KYLIE WILSON
GOOD TIMES:
Dawn Clifford, Sally and fellow pet therapy dog Mister sit with Illoura nurse unit manager Natalie Hall and resident Annette Hayes. PHOTO: Kylie Wilson
GARDENING WITH
DEBBI
RSPCA
FILM
KANE
HERCULES
WITH
WINE TALK WITH
ANITA
WHETHER she is bounding up to the door to greet visitors at her Wangaratta home, or lying quietly by the side of her owner Dawn Clifford, it is clear that Westie terrier Sally simply loves people. Her expressive tail is a fluffy white blur as she pricks up her ears at the mention of her name, or talk of a walk or food. But for many residents at Illoura Residential Aged Care in Wangaratta, Sally, and her whippet friend Mister (owned by fellow volunteer Bernadette Kelly) are more than just dogs. She is part of Illoura’s pet therapy program, which sees dogs and their owners visit the home to interact with residents. Resident Maude Mensch, who grew up in Wangaratta with many family members owning dogs, said seeing dogs at Illoura was a welcome reminder of her family’s much loved pets. “I’ve always had something to do with dogs,” she said, stroking Sally’s head. “Everybody loves them here and we’re all happy when the dogs are around. “They come up and we give them something to eat.” Illoura’s lifestyle team leader Lee O’Neill said residents are able to interact with the dogs, according to their level of comfort. “Some like to watch, some will pat and cuddle,” she said. “The dogs are able to sit or lay on the bed if that’s what the resident wants.” continued page |
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